A small bright finch — males in breeding plumage are brilliant yellow with black cap and wings. State bird of New Jersey, Iowa, and Washington.

Also called: Goldfinch, Wild Canary

Native status: Native; widespread

§ Quick facts

SizeBody 11–14 cm (4.3–5.5 in); wingspan 19–22 cm
Weight11–20 g (0.4–0.7 oz)
LifespanWild typically 3 years; oldest documented 10
OrderPasseriformes
FamilyFringillidae

§ Encyclopedia

The American goldfinch is a small North American bird in the finch family. It is migratory, ranging from mid-Alberta to North Carolina during the breeding season, and from just south of the Canada–United States border to Mexico during the winter.

Source: Wikipedia — American goldfinch Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0

§ Identification

Field marks. Small finch; males in breeding plumage: brilliant yellow with black cap and wings. Females duller olive-yellow.

Similar species. Lesser Goldfinch (smaller, darker back). Pine Siskin (streaky, not yellow).

Voice. "Po-ta-to-chip" call in undulating flight; bouncy warbling song.

§ Diet & behavior

Diet. Seeds (sunflower, thistle, dandelion), insects in summer.

Behavior. Bright yellow males in summer; both sexes pale in winter. Late breeders (July-September) timed to thistle and milkweed seed availability.

§ Range

Across North America

§ Habitat

Open weedy fields, brushy areas, suburban yards

§ Threats

Lawn-centric yards, herbicide drift, window strikes.

§ Conservation status

According to the IUCN Red List, the american goldfinch is currently classified as Least Concern.

§ What helps

Plant thistles, sunflowers, and bee balm. Skip herbicides. Use window decals.

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§ Further reading

§ Sources cited

  • Cornell Lab — All About Birds
  • Project FeederWatch
  • iNaturalist
  • IUCN Red List 2018